Hello,
My wife surpised me with a medium char American oak barrel for my birthday. Unfortunately, she accidentally ordered a 1 liter barrel (great for whiskey around our dog's neck but not so much for aging beer). Thankfully, she has asked me to pick another one out. She meant to get a 3 gallon, but now I am debating 3 vs 5 (anything larger is seems to be out of price range). My thinking is I will use it to age a couple of big stouts and when the oakiness starts to go, use it for sours and dedicate it for that for the rest of its days.
Should I go with a 3 or 5 gallon? If I fall shy of 5 gallons, will head space be detrimental?
Should I get the version that is airlock capable or not?
Thanks for any input.
My wife surpised me with a medium char American oak barrel for my birthday. Unfortunately, she accidentally ordered a 1 liter barrel (great for whiskey around our dog's neck but not so much for aging beer). Thankfully, she has asked me to pick another one out. She meant to get a 3 gallon, but now I am debating 3 vs 5 (anything larger is seems to be out of price range). My thinking is I will use it to age a couple of big stouts and when the oakiness starts to go, use it for sours and dedicate it for that for the rest of its days.
Should I go with a 3 or 5 gallon? If I fall shy of 5 gallons, will head space be detrimental?
Should I get the version that is airlock capable or not?
Thanks for any input.